Thursday, October 31, 2013

Happy Halloween - Halloween or Hallowe'en (a contraction of "All Hallows' Evening"), also known as All Hallows' Eve, is a yearly celebration observed in a number of countries on October 31, the eve of the Western Christian feast of All Hallows' Day.
It initiates the triduum of Hallowmas, the time in the liturgical year dedicated to remembering the dead, including saints (hallows), martyrs, and all the faithful departed believers.
According to many scholars, All Hallows' Eve is a Christianized feast initially influenced by Celtic harvest festivals, with possible pagan roots, particularly the Gaelic Samhain. Other academics maintain that it originated independently of Samhain and has solely Christian roots.
Typical festive Halloween activities include trick-or-treating (or the related "guising" or "trunk-or-treating"), attending costume parties, decorating, carving pumpkins into jack-o'-lanterns, lighting bonfires, apple bobbing, visiting haunted attractions, playing pranks, telling scary stories, and watching horror films.

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

The Following - It is rare that I blog about a movie and less often yet that I concern myself with a television series. I happened upon a series last evening about which I feel compelled to speak, however.

"The Following" is a series I had not encountered prior to selecting the pilot for viewing on my Samsung Galaxy S4 smartphone.

Often, Laura and I watch a movie together on the Vizio 39" LCD HDTV in our bedroom. If we decide against this, I generally watch a movie or program as I lie abed prior to sleeping. Laura enjoys playing games on her Motorola smartphone or on her Nexus 7 2013.

"The Following" stars Kevin Bacon as Ryan Hardy

the ex-FBI agent who captured serial killer Joe Carroll (played by James Purefoy).

A correctional officer falls under Carroll's thrall and allows him unrestrained Internet access. Carroll amasses and cultivates a cult following. Aided by the jailer, Carroll escapes prison. Aided by his followers, he continues his killing spree.

Hardy is called in by the Director of the FBI to assist in recapturing Carroll.

"The Following" is very well scripted and filmed. The acting is first-rate. Bacon, in particular, gives a highly credible and penetrating performance.It quickly engages the viewer, and the action is virtually non-stop as Hardy seeks to find Carroll.

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

National Cat Day - Today is National Cat Day!
Charles Dickens said, "What greater gift than the love of a cat?"
Cats are one of the most beloved human companions of all time. They were first domesticated in the Middle East's Fertile Crescent approximately 12,000 years ago.
When humans relied on hunting as their main source of food, dogs were most useful; but when the first agricultural societies emerged, cats became invaluable. Domesticated cats became responsible for keeping grain stores free of mice and other rodents.
Today, cats can be found in 34% of American households, making them the most popular house pet in the United States.
Pet lifestyle expert and animal welfare advocate Colleen Paige established National Cat Day in 2005. In honor of the occasion, celebrate cats and the unconditional love and companionship they give to their owners.

Heated Seats - The mornings have been uncomfortably cool lately. I am thankful for Mr. Nitro R/T's heated seats!
There are few things in this world that bring greater discomfort than a cold butt!
I travel only a few blocks from our nest to mine office, but traveling that distance is sufficient for me to luxuriate in the warmth generated by the heated seat upon which I am posed.

The seats warm more quickly than the heater, so my butt is the first warm place on my body each morning. I cannot imagine life without heated seats!

Monday, October 28, 2013

My New Assistant - I found myself unable to accomplish all necessary tasks here at mine office. I found it necessary to hire an assistant. He is a hard worker but has a bit of a problem staying focused and tends to monkey around when not properly supervised.

New Forever Stamp - Here is the new Forever Stamp from the USPS. Hmmm.

Friday, October 25, 2013

World Pasta Day - At world level the collective promotion in favor of pasta received a powerful impulsion thanks to the outcome of the World Pasta Congress held in Rome on 25th October 1995.
Delegations from various countries discussed together the theme of the collective promotion in favour of pasta consumption, exchanging their ideas and experiences.
Account was taken and stress was laid on the importance of spreading to the utmost the knowledge of pasta among consumers throughout the world by means of collective initiatives of promotional nature and institutional information campaigns.
The countries with greatest experience in this field made available their know-how for the benefit of those countries which have only recently come to realise the virtues and merits of pasta. The ambitious project of organising on a world-wide basis World Pasta Day on 25th October of each year, for the purpose of recalling and enhancing the first event that saw the gathering of the international pasta community was successfully carried through, thanks to the efforts of the Steering Committee, consisting of representatives of the National Pasta Association (United States), of UN.A.F.P.A. and of the Associations of Venezuela and of Turkey, set up to co-ordinate the organization of this important event.
UN.A.F.P.A. carried out an important task of co-ordination of the initiative and thereafter saw to the collection and spreading of information on the various initiatives undertaken for World Pasta Day in the various countries of the world.

Tempura - I had intended to produce an array of tempura items for dinner this evening. When I realized that today is World Pasta Day, however, I quickly moved thoughts of tempura aside and began planning for pasta tonight. Tempura shall be enjoyed tomorrow.
Laura will join in the production of tempura. We shall produce tempura calamari, prawns, mushrooms, and zucchini.
It shall be a delightful repast.